Thursday, 22 May 2014

Final Evaluation for FMP

Over the seven weeks of my FMP I have been working towards
creating a motion graphic. My end outcome was a motion graphic film and
therefore I met my original project proposal. As well as this I have designed
and created business cards, tattoo transfers and some type banners. This did
differ from my original project proposal as I thought I would make an
information pack. However as I developed my project I realised that I needed to
excite my target audience in new and fun ways. Therefore I chose against the
information pack and decided to go with more interacting things such as a
tattoo transfer design which my target audience could put on.

During the course of the FMP I have been using a blog, an
action plan and a sketchbook In order to show how my process. Having these
three different components to document and review has been very helpful. I have
been using my blog to really map out my thoughts and connect things which I
have looked at and made. I also like to use my blog as sort of an image bank
where in which if I see anything which I like I put it onto my blog so that I
can keep looking back at it. My blog has overall been really important as it
has allowed me to keep going over what I have looked at in a quick way. Another
really vital thing to note about keeping a blog specifically for this project
is the fact I am able to upload my video tests.

This is something which I cannot put in a sketchbook as it doesn’t
allow me to show motion. By having this I can illustrate my process even
further. Another method to show my method of learning is my sketchbook. My
sketchbook really helps me plan out my designs and document physical things I
love for instance the business cards I picked up from the Pick me up exhibition
so I stuck them into my sketchbook allowing me to keep coming back to them. I
think it is really important to have physical work and process. In my eyes it
sparks off more ideas than just looking at a screen. Even just feeling texture
gave me so many ideas. I used an action plan lastly to really manage my time.
As the project stretches over seven weeks it is easy to go off the project however
using the action plan I could constantly see where I am and where I needed to
be. This distinction allowed me to strive to meet targets.

In my action plan I made three main targets: Use lots of different techniques and range of
materials when exploring. To use Primary and Secondary researches in order to
create my outcome and to create a final outcome these fits with my brief and
appear in the FE Exhibition show. Overall I feel like I have met all three of
these targets. I have used many different techniques and processes in the
development stages. This including: Documentary style videos, illustrations,
type development, mono printing, pattern development and looking at after
effects. If I had more time I would have liked to have further explore the development
stages as I feel I could have made an even more developed final piece. I have
been able to form a huge amount of research, looking at books, the internet,
visiting exhibition, talking first hand to people, watching TV documentaries
and viewing films. I think if anything I went over slightly on the research
time which limited the time spent on the other targets. I created a final
motion graphic and other items that work very well within my exhibition space.

Throughout this FMP project I have been able to develop many
ideas. At the beginning of the project I carried a lot of developed research
stage which really led me to create even more informed development work. I
started out my development stages which focusing on colours; this is after I
looked at such artists as Morag Myerscough who uses a lot of colour. After
looking at colour I moved onto pattern development which was inspired by such
artists as M.C Esher and the Book of Kells. I applied the pattern and colour
development onto photographs and life drawings that I carried out during the
time. I also looked at film work filming myself and putting it onto YouTube and
looking at the software creating little film testers. I also used different
methods such as mono printing, I really loved the colour combination I did and
I was able to use this in my final piece. All of these elements really did
alter how my final outcome developed itself.

During the FMP one of the most important elements of my
project is the crits and group discussions. Every time people were looking at
my work they were proposing ideas or suggesting things which triggered loads of
ideas and ultimately kept my work flowing. One of my suggestions for instance was
to create loads of film testers, this was such a good idea that I tried to
create lots of different shorts to go on my Blog. Other times I was told to
keep creating more action plans even if it is just for one week only as this
will keep time management going. We were also given the chance to have midpoint
reviews allowing students to look at my work and me to there’s. There was a lot
of praise, everyone pointed at making my outcome more clear which is what I
went on to do. Throughout the process constantly I was having conversations with
other students and there was a great amount of dialect which meant fellow
students kept giving me so many different things to look at.

Within this project there are certain things which I would
have tackled differently if I could redo my work. The first being would
defiantly be time management. During the second week I got put back as we
carried out a creative making session collaborating with other pathways. This
put me back, however if I had kept looking back over my action plan I feel I
could keep on track and give me more time to create my final outcome. I would
have also liked to develop my work on pattern design, I feel like I began
developing this concept to close to the ending of the FMP for me to take them
anywhere. I have developed so many skills whilst doing this project. This being
my developed skills of After effects a programme I will be using for my degree
course of motion graphics next year.

I also have begun becoming stricter with my selection
process something which will be very valuable for my career and course next year.
Finally I feel I have been able to give constructive criticism to my other
peers and giving suggestions for them to carry out. Next year I will be
carrying my first year of Motion Graphics at Ravensbourne. The skills I have
learnt from the FMP and foundation will really help drive my work to be as
successful as possible.